Just how 'epic' is Universal Epic Universe?

Can we just start with the most obvious thing? The park is called Universal Epic Universe. Excusing the overcaffeinated naming convention, it’s a title that practically vibrates with ambition. Whether “epic” speaks to awe or scale, and “universe” refers to scope or synergy (or a robust portfolio of intellectual property), Universal Orlando Resort is making its intentions unmistakably clear. This is a theme park as mission statement, designed to shift expectations, steal headlines and give returning guests something Orlando hasn’t seen in quite some time: a truly new theme park experience, built from the ground up. And now, after years of anticipation, the gates are finally ready to open.

Of course, calling something “epic” is easy. (Did the meeting to choose a name last long enough for the bagels to arrive?) Delivering on the promise is something else entirely. Luckily, the brain trust at Universal wisely identified me as someone worthy of an early invitation ahead of its grand opening in May. It was an assignment I accepted without hesitation. 

Before we get into what it’s like to walk through the place, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the scale of what Universal has built. Epic Universe and its five themed “worlds” stretch across 750 acres, making it the largest of Universal Orlando’s three theme parks. When the project was announced in 2019, Universal’s parent company, Comcast NBCUniversal, committed a reported $7 billion to its construction. Along with three on-site hotels, the complex still has ample room for expansion. The sheer magnitude of the park speaks volumes about the investment Universal is making in its theme park future.

Epic Universe also carries historic weight. It’s the first major U.S. theme park to open since Disney’s California Adventure in 2001, and the first in Orlando since Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998. (These milestones do not include Universal’s Volcano Bay, which is technically a water park and thus excluded from the conversation.) With so much time since the last major theme park launch, the bar isn’t just high—it’s unclear. Epic Universe gets to help define it.

Stepping through the turnstiles, guests enter a central area called "Celestial Park," which serves as a connective tissue between the four themed “worlds” branching off from it. This traditional theme park layout, often referred to as a “hub-and-spoke” design, is reminiscent of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, with the futuristic Chronos orb sculpture in Celestial Park taking the place of Cinderella Castle. Where Celestial Park sets itself apart is the 133-foot-tall dual-launching roller-coaster Stardust Racers (by far the most thrilling ride in the park), along with dancing fountains and an enormous carousel suited for younger children.

If we’re taking Epic Universe’s marketing copy at face value, Celestial Park serves as an anchor for four “portals” leading to four separate “worlds” based on beloved franchises: Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Stripping away the narrative conceit, these are four themed areas, each meticulously crafted to fully immerse guests in the distinct aesthetic and atmosphere of a specific cherished property.

Guests will naturally gravitate toward their favorite franchises in whatever order they choose, though the hub-and-spoke layout encourages visiting each world in order to save time walking back and forth through the park. For my visit, the first stop was Super Nintendo World, an environment that masterfully translates the vibrant, whimsical aesthetic of the Mushroom Kingdom into a tangible, explorable space. Like any self-respecting elder millennial, I grew up with Mario—on chunky controllers, tube TVs and clamshell handheld consoles—and stepping into his world felt like flipping through a beloved pixelated scrapbook. The bright primary colors, sound design and cartoonish architecture are all faithfully recreated, offering a sensory overload that is both nostalgic and near-psychedelic.

Character performers dressed as Mario and Luigi stood in a designated area for photos with fans, while the rides Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and Donkey Kong’s Mine-Cart Madness™ constitute the primary attractions. Interactive experiences—like punching question-mark boxes to collect digital coins and earn a place on the live leaderboards—were peppered throughout the area, but they could only be unlocked using a purchased Power-Up Band. While an inspired idea on paper, the reliance on a $45 wearable to unlock the full potential of the land felt like an upsell too far when single-day tickets start at $139.

Next on the itinerary was How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, an area that captures the rugged, windswept atmosphere of the Viking island from the popular animated/live-action film series. The level of detail is impressive: weathered wooden structures, soaring dragon statues and rock formations that evoke the craggy landscapes of the films.

Or so I assume. Admittedly, my relationship with the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise is nonexistent. However, the world’s success doesn't hinge on preexisting fandom. Even without any deep connection to the source material, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders embodied the spirit of dragon flight (another assumption on my part), while Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill and Hooligan's Grub offered some of the more enticing dining options throughout the park.

Dark Universe presents a stark contrast to the colorful exuberance of Super Nintendo World and the rugged charm of Isle of Berk. Inspired by Universal's classic monster movies, this world embraces a gothic aesthetic, with imposing castles, dimly lit alleyways and a pervasive sense of foreboding. In the interest of radical transparency, I was previously unaware that classic characters like Frankenstein, Dracula and Wolf Man fell under the Universal umbrella. Nevertheless, Dark Universe’s macabre visuals and eerie ambiance, highlighted by the ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, offered a welcome change of pace from the more family-friendly fare elsewhere in the park.

And then there's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, the third Harry Potter-themed area at Universal Orlando Resort, joining Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Ministry of Magic distinguishes itself from its predecessors by shifting the focus from Hogwarts to the streets of 1920s Wizarding Paris, as seen in the “Fantastic Beasts” film series. The popularity of the Harry Potter franchise needs no introduction, and the decision to expand the Wizarding World yet again speaks to its enduring appeal and its ability to draw massive crowds. This world alone will undoubtedly make Epic Universe a must-visit destination for millions of fans worldwide.

This latest iteration, though, invites a series of compelling questions, namely: Have I seen the “Fantastic Beasts” films? (No). Can I credibly compare Ministry of Magic to the previous Wizarding World installations when I haven’t visited the other parks? (Also no.) And am I, as someone who only visits theme parks out of a sense of professional obligation, perhaps unqualified to provide a comprehensive critical assessment of Epic Universe as a whole? (Impossible to say.)

What I do know is that, regardless of one’s familiarity with these films, the level of immersive storytelling on display is undeniable. It does not take a “Fantastic Beasts” aficionado to appreciate the expertly crafted Parisian streetscapes; the intricate wand shops featuring interactive displays of various characters and Epic Universe-exclusive wands for purchase; the confectionary shop stocked with chocolate frogs and Every Flavor Beans; or the $19 Boeuf Bourguignon on the menu at Café L’air De La Sirène.

Now, is any of this truly epic? And is it fair to subject such a literal standard to a theme park whose namesake is so obviously hyperbolic? For all of its branding bravado, Universal Epic Universe is not a radical reinvention of the theme park—nor does it need to be. What makes Epic Universe significant isn’t that it changes everything. It’s that it happened at all.

“There’s always something new happening in Orlando, but rarely as big as this,” said Dr. Jeeyeon Jeannie Hahm, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “An expectation has been set, but what they ultimately have to deliver is the experience. That’s what people are looking for—that unique experience.”

In the end, Universal Epic Universe doesn’t need to redefine the genre to justify its existence. What it delivers is something far rarer in the modern theme park landscape: a brand-new park, rather than just another expansion, in a city that hasn’t seen one in over 25 years. That alone is no small feat.

Whether every section of the park resonates equally or every attraction earns its superlatives, Epic Universe offers something foundational to the guest experience: novelty. It’s a place where new worlds can be explored, where different creative visions coexist and where the boundaries of themed entertainment continue to expand. In an industry often driven by sequels and incremental updates, Epic Universe is a reset button—an ambitious, highly polished and deeply strategic leap forward.

It may or may not be truly “epic.” But it is undeniably new. And in Orlando, that makes all the difference.